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St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

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SC Picture Project / Oconee County / St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Walhalla was organized in 1853 by members of Charleston‘s German Colonization Society, which was led by John A. Wagener.

St. John's Lutheran Walhalla

Parker Renaud of West Columbia, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The group wanted to form a German settlement in South Carolina’s Piedmont region. Construction on the building began in 1859 and was completed in early 1861, near the beginning of the Civil War. The builder was renowned German architect John Kaufman.

St. John's Lutheran

C. Ron Laughter of Greer, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is listed in the National Register, which says the following:

(St. John’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Walhalla) St. John’s Lutheran Church was constructed between 1859 and 1861 under the direction of John Kaufmann, master builder from Baden, Germany, for the German Lutheran congregation of Walhalla. The church is significant as a frame interpretation of a German vernacular church form, as influenced by the Victorian medieval revival trends. The church is also significant for its role in the religious history of Walhalla.

The church is rectangular in shape, with a tower centered on the façade. An arched entrance with an archivolt door surround is at the base of the tower. The broach spire with the low flared base, and the central tower, projecting from the façade, are elements common to German church architecture from the medieval era to the nineteenth century. The pulpit of “twisted wood” is of the style used by the High German Church. Structurally, the complex arrangement of trusses, collar beams, and braces which support and stabilize the tower, are significant as evidence of the builder’s competence.

A number of charter members of the congregation were members of the German Colonization Society, the organization responsible for the development of Walhalla. Selected from this same group came three intendants, five town wardens, and one state senator, all of which indicates St. John’s had a socially and politically influential congregation, who actively participated in the founding and management of the town of Walhalla.

Plan Your Trip: St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Where is St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church located?
Address: 301 West Main Street, Walhalla, SC 29691
GPS Coordinates: 34.765619,-83.069196
Website: http://www.stjohnswalhalla.org/
What else should I see?
Oconee County Courthouse 0.1 mile
Walhalla Civic Auditorium 0.4 mile
Old St. John's Meeting House 0.5 mile
Neville School 4.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
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  • Walhalla Historic Sites
    St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Map

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    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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